Resonance device



W. H. LUCKETT.

RESONANCE DEV'lcE.- APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 29, 1921.

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Patented Dec. 5, 1922. 7

WADE H. 'LUCKETT, F CLARENDON, VIRGINIA.

RESONANCE DEVICE.

.Application filed September 29, 1921. Serial No. 504,141.

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Be it known that I, WADE H. LUCKETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clarendon, in the county of Arlington and 5 State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Resonance Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in stringed instruments of the banjo type and has particular reference to banjos, banjo-mandolins and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a means for increasing the resonance and carrying power of the instrument to which it is applied.

Another object is the provision of improved means for maintaining the desired tautness in the head of the instrument at all times and under all conditions.

With these general objects in view, and such others as will be apparent from the description, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed,

. taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which;

Figure 1, is a vertical'section through a banjo body, illustrating the application of the invention thereto, and

Figure 2, is an enlarged detail sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the usual wooden body of the banjo, comprising an annular rim having the head 2 stretched thereover which is secured by means of the usual flesh rings 3 and 4, and the flesh hooks 5. This construction may be of any approved type and forms no par-' 5o suitable fastening elements 8, comprising in this instance screws threaded at spaced intervals. into the inner face of the body, as illustrated in Figure 1. The shell 7 is carried at the side of the body rim and extends from the top of the rim to a short distance head above the top of the below the bottom of the annular rabbet 6. By reason of the disposition of shell 7 at the side of the rim 1, and the arrangement of the rabbet 6, a chamber will be formed entirely around the body between the top portion of the shell and the body rim below the head 2.

A thin hollow metal resonating ring 9 is supported on the upper edge of the shell'7, between the shell and the head 2 and serves to support the head of the instrument. The ring 9 is of a diameter sufiicient to extend slightly above the top of the body rim, whereby the material comprising the head 2 will be lifted out of contact with all except the outer edge of the body rim and an air space will be provided in back of the ring 9.

That portion of the upper edge of the shell 7 which forms the inner wall of the chamber formed by the rabbet 6, is cut away at suitably spaced intervals to form in effect teeth 10, which support the resonating ring 9 along their upper edges. This construction permits of a communication between the chamber in back of the ring and shell, and the resonating chamber proper, which is an extremely valuable feature of the invention as the resonance of the instrument is greatly increased thereby.

It is obvious that the arran ement of the parts may be varied to dil erent adjustments, and while in this preferred form I have shown and described certain details and materials which enter into the construction and operation of my invention, I desire it to be understood that I do not intendto limit myself to these, but that any such may be used as will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim 2-- 1. In a musical instrument, a body rim, a head carried thereover, an annular shell mounted on the inner face of said body rim beneath the head, teeth on said shell, a resonating ring carried on said teeth and supporting said head, said body rim being formed with an air chamber in back of said shell and resonating ring, beneath the head.

2. In a musical instrument, a body rim, a head carried thereover, an annular shell mounted on the inner face of said body rim, teeth on said shell, a resonating ring carried on said teeth and sgpporting sai rim, said Ill ber thereof, a hollow resonating: ring ried by the upper edge of said shelland sun 10 porting the head of the banjo, the upper edge of said shell being apertured below said member for air communication with said cha nher.

In testlmony whereof I affix my signature. 15

WADE H. LUCKETT. 

